About Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Know thy enemy. Get the facts on relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS)

Odds are, if you're visiting this website and are considering GILENYA® treatment, then you probably already know a thing or two about relapsing multiple sclerosis. But for those of you who may be recently diagnosed (or those just looking for a refresher), this page will give you the basics.

What is relapsing multiple sclerosis?

Relapsing multiple sclerosis is thought to be a chronic autoimmune disease—a type of condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body tissue. With MS, the tissues that come under attack are in the body's central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and nerve fibers to the eyes.

However, the cause of this attack is unknown. In MS, some white blood cells, called lymphocytes, gain access to the brain. Along with macrophages (another type of white blood cell) and other immune cells, they are believed to mistakenly cause damage to nerve fibers. When the covering of these nerve fibers (called myelin) is damaged or destroyed, nerve impulses from the brain to the rest of the body can get interrupted. This is thought to be the underlying cause of many relapsing MS symptoms.

Lymphocytes are white blood cells, a part of the immune system. Along with macrophages (another type of white blood cell) and other immune cells, lymphocytes are believed to mistakenly cause damage to nerve fibers in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), relapsing-remitting MS—the most common disease course—is characterized by clearly defined attacks of worsening neurologic function. These attacks (also called relapses, flare-ups, or exacerbations) are followed by partial or complete recovery periods (remissions), during which symptoms improve partially or completely and there is no apparent progression of disease.

Symptoms of relapsing multiple sclerosis

Everyone experiences relapsing multiple sclerosis symptoms differently and in different combinations. One person may experience numbness or vision problems, while another may feel pain or have difficulty walking.

MS symptoms can also change over time, so what a person experiences in the early stages of the disease may differ from late-stage symptoms. Some symptoms can sometimes disappear, while others may become permanent.

Here's a list of some of the more common symptoms of relapsing MS. Because the condition is so variable, it's not a complete list. So be sure to speak up and tell your health care professional if you notice anything different or unusual.

Feeling dizzy or losing your balance

Problems with vision

Numbness, tingling, or pain

Muscle weakness or tremors

Trouble walking

Bladder issues

Depression

Feeling tired or fatigued

Finding it hard to concentrate or remember things

Who gets multiple sclerosis?

It's hard to believe, but in this day and age, we still don't know the exact cause of multiple sclerosis. However, decades of clinical research have given us a lot of really good leads. Scientists now believe that several underlying risk factors may be associated with MS, including gender, genetics, ethnicity, exposure to certain viruses, and the environment. Here's what we know:

Gender: MS is at least 2 to 3 times more common in women than in men

Genetics: If you have a family member (eg, a parent, sibling, or child) who has MS, your risk for developing the disease increases. Generally speaking, the risk of developing MS for most people is 1 out of 750. However, if you have a family member with MS, your risk increases to 1 out of 40. The risk may increase more if you have multiple family members with MS, or if you have an identical twin with MS

Ethnicity: MS occurs in most ethnic groups, including Caucasians, African-Americans, Asians, and Hispanics/Latinos. While it is most commonly seen in Caucasians of northern European ancestry, new research shows that African-American women may be especially at risk. Findings such as these suggest that ethnicity may be one of several contributing factors

Viruses: Some scientists think that certain viruses may trigger MS

Environment: MS is less common in areas closer to the equator. These areas receive more sunlight, and because sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, researchers have looked into the role that vitamin D plays in MS

†GILENYA can result in a slow heart rate when first taken. You will be observed by a health care professional for at least 6 hours after you take your first dose. You may need to repeat this monitoring if you miss a dose.

Make sure your voice is heard. We love that you want to say "Take This!" to relapsing MS, but there are still some words even we can't use—words that might not be appropriate. They're defined in the Community Guidelines below. But have no fear; we'll give you a heads up if you use any problematic words by highlighting them after you hit submit. So, go for it, and tell relapsing MS how you really feel!

Avoid using your full name and/or e-mail address in your message, so this personal information remains private and protected

Do not include spam, such as links to or URLs for other websites or social networks in your message

Refrain from sharing any treatment and/or dosage information, as well as names of specific medicines (brand name or generic) and product manufacturers

Avoid mention of side effects from GILENYA. We take drug product safety seriously. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088

Please note that in order to comply with our Community Guidelines as well as the FDA's Prescription Drug Advertising Guidelines, your statement may be subject to modification, while maintaining the spirit of your message. Your photo and statement may be used in other GILENYA marketing materials

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